Jerusalem, in 2018, was the first city outside Europe to host the start of the Giro. The Tour de France and Giro combine 35 departures abroad. While the Vuelta has only done 3 departures abroad, in Lisbon (Portugal). In 1997, shafts (Netherlands) in 2009 and Nimes (France) in 2017.
DEBATE
The debate has begun, you are rather leaving abroad or leaving for the country of origin. For the Tour de France, the Netherlands presents itself as the country which has welcomed the most departures: 6. Belgium and Germany (4), Luxembourg and the United Kingdom (2), or even Monaco, Switzerland, Spain and Ireland.
FOR OR AGAINST
Let's start with the cons, it does not highlight the territories. It brings more fatigue, it is not very grateful to the villages of France, lots of reasons people ask. The great tours that start from abroad are increasingly present in the world of cycling. At a time when we are talking about global warming and pollution. However, it allows you to discover mythical places such as 2018. Where The Giro Started From Jerusalem. or a start in Utrecht on the Tour de France in 2015.
The purpose of going abroad is to promote other cultures, to meet new traditions. Also, we can see how other countries bring cycling to life, with the different urban developments. For example in Denmark with many cycle lanes. Leaving for another country brings popular success for A.S.O. (Amaury Sport Organisation). A success which extends above all abroad and which attracts increasingly committed sponsors. Cycling lands like Belgium, the Netherlands helps to give back a good image to the bicycle. We know that going abroad brings many more people than just crossing the border.. That said, What do the runners think? ?
A RUNNER'S OPINION
For Julian Bernard, recently live on the Twitch platform, "That's good, but the start must not be too far away”. He was referring to the start of the Giro 2018, and Israel, about 2300km separate the two countries by plane. “When a departure is too far, we have a transfer day which is tiring”. Indeed, this can have effects on the body for some runners.
CONCLUSION
So should the start of a grand tour start from abroad with all the fervor it brings or should it stay in France? ? many parameters come into conflict and it is not a simple choice of preference. So to your arguments !
